April 29, 2024
We are excited to announce a major change coming to Beyond Hunger beginning on May. After talking with many of our Beyond Hunger participants, we will shift the format of our program. Right now, everyone receives a pre-packed box full of food. Starting on May 2, we will move to a market- style distribution. Participants will get to choose which foods you want to take home with you – just like you would at a grocery store!
Here is how it will work:
- Come into the Southwest YMCA as usual on Thursdays between 4 and 6 PM.
- You will be directed through the gym to our “market” where you can shop for the foods that you’d like.
- Only 5 shoppers will be allowed to shop at a time.
- Please remember to bring your own reusable shopping bags or box, if you have them.
- We will have community partners and light refreshments in the lobby while you wait.
- Volunteers in the market will help you to fill your boxes and transport them to your car.
We will still make some pre-packed boxes. If you prefer to pick up a box and leave, this will still be an option for you!
A note about supply: We are grateful to be able to provide fresh foods for you. We will do everything we can to give these foods out in a fair way so that there is enough for everyone. You do not need to arrive early as we plan to have fresh food during the whole shopping time. But, we can’t promise that there will always be fresh food.
We receive a limited amount of these foods each week and we don’t have control over how much of these foods we will get. Week to week, it is hard to predict how many shoppers we serve. Please know that once we run out of fresh food, we’re out. We will never send you home empty-handed. But if we run out of fresh foods before you arrive, you will only have shelf stable foods to choose from.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Alyssa at aleib@denverymca.org or 303 390 0833. Accommodations can be made for anyone with a disability.